Trend estimates: Short-term visitor arrivals to Australia have decreased over the past nine months with the rate of decrease slowing. Estimates for the past two months have changed little with the January 2009 estimate at 451,100 movements.

Currently, trend estimates for arrivals are 3.8% lower than in January 2008.

Seasonally adjusted estimates: During January 2009, arrivals (446,800 movements) decreased by 3.4% compared with December 2008 (462,400 movements). This followed a monthly decrease of 0.7% for November 2008 and a monthly increase of 3.0% for December 2008.

Original estimates: There were 458,300 arrivals to Australia in January 2009.

SHORT-TERM RESIDENT DEPARTURES

Trend estimates: Short-term resident departures from Australia during January 2009 (478,200 movements), recorded a decrease of 0.6% compared with December 2008 (480,900 movements). This followed monthly decreases of 0.3% for November 2008 and 0.4% for December 2008.

Currently, trend estimates for departures are 0.3% higher than in January 2008.

Seasonally adjusted estimates: During January 2009, departures (462,900 movements) decreased by 5.6% compared with December 2008 (490,300 movements). This followed a monthly decrease of 3.2% for November 2008 and a monthly increase of 3.4% for December 2008.

Original estimates: There were 409,600 departures from Australia during January 2009.

NOTES

FORTHCOMING ISSUES

ISSUE

Release Date

February 2009

6 April 2009

March 2009

8 May 2009

April 2009

4 June 2009

May 2009

7 July 2009

June 2009

4 August 2009

July 2009

4 September 2009

DATA NOTES

This publication contains overseas movement data which should not be interpreted as 'persons'. See paragraph 5 of the Explanatory Notes for more detail.

The statistics in this publication have been rounded to the nearest 100 for short-term movements and to the nearest 10 for permanent and long-term movements. As a result, sums of the components may not add exactly to totals. Analysis featured in this publication is based on unrounded data. Calculations made on rounded data may differ to those published.

CHANGES IN THIS ISSUE

Passenger cards - New incoming and outgoing passenger cards have been notified by the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). Images of these cards have been displayed in the PASSENGER CARDS APPENDIX of the .pdf document, available from the Downloads tab of this issue. The changes incorporated were minor and do not affect the overseas arrivals and departures data items detailed in this publication or other associated products.

INQUIRIES

For further information about these and related statistics, contact the National Information and Referral Service on 1300 135 070 or Anne Ward on Canberra (02) 6252 6871.